Went from a 235lb guy to an Ironman, keeping the journey going to stay fit.
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Monday, August 31, 2009

Race Report: Subaru Ironman Canada 2009

This is going to be a long one... I want to capture everything so I can look back at it and relive this tremendous experience!

Race Day

Up at 3:45am to give myself plenty of time to get to the race site. Ate a bowl of Frosted Flakes (brings out the tiger in you!) and we headed down with my small entourage of my wife, sister and mom.

Other than body marking, there wasn't much to do, and there was 2 hours to do it... so I more or less hung out in transition pacing around nervously. I snacked on a bunch of goodies I'd brought and drank Gatorade.

The Start

I joined my fellow age-groupers in the water about 10 minutes before the start. There wasn't much opportunity for a warm-up, but I did manage to flood my suit and get in a few strokes.

The atmosphere was insane... 2500 people all standing in the water ready to go, the huge crowd behind us (including my supporters!). I almost teared up, it was overwhelming.

I seeded myself toward the back and the outside like I'd planned which I was hoping would give me some clear water to swim in. They lifted the rope for the start and away we went... well almost. I waded in behind everyone and just waited, probably for about 1-2 minutes. It's a long day, no sense rushing into the crowd and getting kicked in the head or something. When I finally saw some clear water, I started my swim.

Everything felt amazing right from the start - I was calm and smooth, and mostly had clear water around me. That changed when we hit the first turn... everyone bunched up and I found myself getting whacked around a bit. Mostly I was able to avoid the random feet and arms, but a few times I got dinged. It disrupted my flow a bit, but other than that no serious consequences.

I hit the end of the swim with a lot of people around me, so I knew I had a pretty decent swim by my standards. It's my weakest leg and the one that I was most concerned about.

Swim result: 1:32:12 (2314/2595) 203/219 M30-34

Transition 1

I ran over to pick up my transition bag and headed into the tent to change. It took me quite awhile to get changed into my bike clothes, lubing up, I think most people's transitions were long, it's a different animal from a typical triathlon where you just throw on your bike shoes and helmet and go.

Time: 0:08:14

Bike

The bike started out badly - I tried to get clipped in and then realized my chain had fallen off. In my rush to get it back on, I sliced open my thumb on the chainring! I hopped on the bike with a bit of a gusher going from my thumb... I momentarily considered stopping to take care of it, but my competitive spirit said "suck it up, walk (ride?) it off"... it clotted soon enough so didn't end up being a big deal.

As I was having my drama mounting my bike, Sister Madonna Buder went by me. She is 79 years old. I quickly re-passed her, though, which I'd be a lot more proud of if she wasn't a 79 year old nun! She's incredible... this year she finished in a time of 16:54:30, just 5:30 before the 17-hour cut-off...

I settled into a rhythm and headed out of town. The first part of the course runs from Penticton to Osoyoos, it's easy and mostly flat (other than the one big climb up Maclean Hill Road). I was a bit disturbed at my speed, it was faster than my intended average at 31km/h, but I felt like I was biking well within myself. This was going to be a long day so pacing was critical.

Every town we passed through was lined with spectators... it was an amazing feeling, they cheered, shouted out to people they knew and to those they didn't... the support on the entire course was nothing short of amazing, I hadn't expected it at all.

After Osoyoos is the first major climb, Richter Pass. It's long and fairly steep... this is where the triple chainring paid off, I had a set of lower gears that most people don't. I span up while those around me were mashing, it was great! The only thing that wasn't great was the optical illusions ... several sections look downhill but aren't, or look flat but are uphill. I'd scouted the course with my dad in a car and we didn't realize where the top actually was... so that was an unpleasant surprise.

After Richter was a long scary downhill. now I've been at 60, 70km/h before, but that was in a straight line. Turning at that speed is terrifying, even if it's gradual! I had to back off, I hated to do it, but I was very worried I'd bite it and earn a trip to emergency rather than to the finish line (and I later saw some guy on a stretcher in a neck brace who had done just that).

The ride into Keremeos and the out-and-back were where I started having some muscle cramping. I've had this really hose me in the past, but today I knew I was ahead of where I needed to be so I shifted to a lower gear and span. This seemed to alleviate things, and once I hit the special needs bag pick-up at the turn-around I felt much better. I downed the cold coffee with sugar that I'd packed (mmm...) and went back at it.

The last big challenge was the climb up to Yellow Lake. In the car, this looked harmless, but with the cramping and the fact that it was 150k into the ride? It became very harmful in a hurry! I actually stopped to catch my breath mid-way and get my energy back... that seemed to help.

The crowds on this climb were so cool, it was like the Tour de France. They lined both sides of the road, leaving a narrow path for us to go through as they shouted encouragement. The roads were covered in chaulk writing, "Go Daddy Go!", "Go Fred!", etc. It was absolutely amazing, I was hurting and grinning at the same time.

(Actually that sort-of sums up Ironman - hurting and grinning)

I thought that from Yellow Lake to the end was downhill, and much of it was... but not all of it! There was still one more climb after the lake, and in town there was a slight up-hill (and a matching headwind). I suspect neither of these would have bothered me much at kilometer 20, but at kilometer 175 they were tough.

Just before the end of the bike course I heard someone yell "it's Jon!!!"... I looked over and there was my best bud from school and his wife. I went from grimacing and fairly miserable to smiling again.

Nutritionally - My goal was 300 calories an hour while on the bike, mostly from Gatorade. It has 180 cal per bottle, so I figured if I could get down one and a bit of those and a banana I'd be in good shape. I even got in two bottles some hours when my stomach would take it... this seemed to work out really well, I stuck to it during the bike and my stomach cooperated.

Bike result: 6:50:34 (1937/2595) 184/219 M30-34

Transition 2

This one went quicker, I changed very fast, lubed up again (can't have enough lube!) and took a quick bathroom break before heading out.

Run

They should really call this a "Shuffle" instead of a "Run"... it is so hard, there was little left in the tank, and here I was starting a marathon.

My original plan was 5 and 1's - 5 minutes running, 1 minute walking. This went out the window at about 5k, I just didn't have the juice for running that much at a time. This was a dark patch in my race, I walked up hills, ran down them, and alternated running and walking everywhere else. I was way into the red at this point and with 5+ hours ahead of me this was going to be a killer run.

Along the way I saw people in various states of distress... one guy was puking louder than I've ever heard anyone puke. Not really the sound you want to hear when your own stomach is in dicey shape! Another guy was giving up, he told a passing runner to tell the people at the next aid station he was done. He sat there with his head between his knees looking down... I felt awful for him, and it reinforced that I had to be cautious so that wouldn't be me!

At every aid station (1 mile apart) I took two cups of Gatorade. This was a lot of liquid but I knew I needed the energy, badly. With the frequent walking it seemed to settle OK, and as I approached the half way point things started feeling a lot better.

I picked up my special needs bag at the half distance. I decided not to take any Tylenol for fear of upsetting my stomach, and I didn't have any blisters or rubbing so no need for Body Glide. But the Swedish Berries? Those I needed!!! Whoever said "put something in there that'll make you smile" was right. :)

The second half of the run started with a bunch of uphill sections, which I mostly walked, but I could feel myself recovering energy. When it came time to run again, I had something in the tank, it felt great! So I alternated walking and running, now running much more than I was walking. The aid stations were coming up quicker and the Gatorade was doing the trick (although by now it was like drinking vinegar or something - blech!).

With each mile I could feel Ironman getting closer. As we entered Penticton again, I picked up the pace... now I knew I was going to finish, but a new goal emerged - sub 14 hours. Main street was lined with people, incredible, all cheering and calling out your name or number. As I rounded the corner off of Main street, there they were - my family! My wife, my 3 kids with their banner saying "Go Daddy Go", my mom and dad, my sister, my mother-in-law... I was flush with emotions and excitement, it was so awesome to be doing this and to have them be a part of it!

There was one last hurdle - the loooong out and back. You pass right by the finish line, but then have another mile or so to run... it's diabolical. I had to do a bit more walking, all the while checking my watch for that 14:00:00... I rounded the turn and it was a straight shot to the finish.

The feelings in that moment are hard to describe... I had left the beach 14 hours ago, and now here was coming to the finish. The lit up finishing chute, the spectators in the grandstands cheering, it just filled me with awe. I checked my watch one last time, then charged for the finish. I threw my hands in the air and yelled "YES!!!" as I broke the tape at the finishing line...

There are a lot of things I am proud of in my life, but as far as accomplishments go this is the top of the list. It took years of transforming myself from an inactive pudgy guy into a fit triathlete. I first heard about Ironman when Andy from "The Bachelor" said he was one... I looked it up and thought "wow, that's insane, I could never do that!". I was wrong!

I didn't do it alone... my wife is very understanding and supportive as I take off on Saturday morning for a 6 hour bike ride or try to slip in a run after supper. My kids are my best fans, and I couldn't have done it without any of them. And a final thanks to Paul from Iron Motivation - without his group triathlon swim lessons, I might never have even tried to do triathlons... and his invaluable feedback in the last month lead to a comfortable swim.

Where do I go from here?

I want to do the Muskoka 70.3 next year, and another stand-alone marathon. I'm also planning to do some trail running, something I've been meaning to do but haven't got to.

I'm not in any rush to do Ironman again. It's incredible, inspiring, amazing... but also expensive, time-consuming, and painful! I can't see myself leaving it behind forever, but for now, this chapter is closed.

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!! I've been reading your blog for quite a few months now and let me tell you it's VARY inspiring. It's been so much fun following you on your journey to becoming IRONMAN and you did it! I respect you so much Jon. Keep writing.

Dylan - thanks so much... I love hearing comments like that! :) The steps to get there were so straightforward and unremarkable as I went through them, it's cool that in the end I achieved something that could inspire others! :) Browsed your blog, sounds like you're well on your way to whatever you want to achieve... good luck.